EcoDesign lab case studies

Consumers more and more call for environmentally-friendly textile products based on environmentally-friendly production. Currently, the textile industry uses about 25% of the chemicals produced worldwide. Up to 700 liters of fresh water are used for the finishing of 1kg of textiles. For a big brand, this accounts for about 2000 small lakes for their yearly production.

The used water finally returns as dirty water into our rivers, lakes and oceans. The more water that is used, the more energy is needed, which contributes to global warming. Therefore in design and production planning, where decisions on materials and resource usage are made, a practicable tool for eco-efficient manufacturing must be provided.

"If you don’t know, you don’t care," says Waeber. "Instead of focusing on the final product, we have to tackle the problem at its root - with an ‘Input Stream Management’ which we now have established with the bluesign® standard. In the presented case studies all input streams are analyzed, from raw materials, to chemical components, to resources."

Waeber will give an insight into some secrets of textile production: "Prior to production, every component is assessed and receives a rating based on its ecotoxicological impact. Harmful substances can be eliminated early in the design process."

This approach leads to affordable sports products with uncompromised function and minimal air and water emissions.